The Sun. — London, England, 1864-12-30 00:00:00

J4IFEBOAT SERVICES.—During the storms of the resent ar the f the Lifeboat Institution have saved 432 persons fr o om different iNational wrecks on our coasts, The Institution also expended £14,770 in the same perk,4l on lifeboat establishments, in addition to grant ing A 1,497 as rewards for saving 608 ship wrec k e d persons b y its Meboats, and other means. The Committee of the Institution earnestly A eI'EAL to the public for ASSISTANCE to enable them to meet the continued heavy demands on the Institution's 138 lifeboat eSfanlishments. Contributions are received by Messrs Willis and Co., .fierries and Co., Coutts and Co., and by all the London and country bankers ; and by the Secretary, Richard Lewis, Esq., at the Institution, 14, John-street, Adelphi. T~IHEATRE-ROYAL DRURY-LANE Managers. Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton. _ _ - - THIS EVENING, and d ur i ng th e week, — A YOUNG LAD FROM THE COUNTRY. Ai ter which, the Grand Christmas Pantomime, HOP O'MY e I'IRT3IB AND HIS ELEVEN BROT it ERS ; or, Harlequin and the Ogre of the Seven-League Boots - Messrs. G. Bel more, Tom Matthews, G. Weston, Master Percy Roselle, ke. 11.1isses Lydia Thompson. R. Lcclercq, ; Messrs. Boleno, U. Lauri, W. A. Barne., T. Morris, Corma k, Savil e ; Mdare. Boleno, the Misses Gunnis, aad Signor Tescano. HEATRE ROYAL, DRURY- LANE,- 11 Horning Performances.—ln answer to numer ous applic itions from parties residing in the environs, and in order to allow the country vibitors to London during tae holiday week an opportunity of witnessing the grand Drury lane annual Christmas Pantomime, entitled HOP 0' MY THUMB AND HIS ELEVEN BROTHERS; or, Harlequin and the Ogre of the Seven-league Boots, Messrs. Falconer and Chatterton have decided on giving TWO MORNING PER.FORMANC ES, Today, Friday, 30, Saturday, 31, and on the morning of every Wednesday and Saturday during the holiday season. Children and schools at reduced prices to the following parts of the theatre : First circle, dress circle, and stalls, for morning performances only. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.- Lessee, Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, Dec. 28, DAVID GARRICK. Messrs. Chippendale, Sothern, Buckstone, Rogers, Clark, Coe, Wea thereby, etc. ; Mesdames Moore, Snowdon, Fitzwilliam, After which, LORD DUNDREARY MARRIED AND DONE FOR Messrs. Sothern, Buckstone, Braid, Gordon, Clark, White, Coe, Weathereby, &c. ; Mesdames Snowdon, 11111, (ix With PRINCESS SPRINGTIME. Mr. Compton, Miss L. Keeley. And MRS. WHITE. To commence at 7. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Mr, FECHTER will perform his universally allowed great impersonation of RUY BLAS EVERY EVENING. until further notice. THIS EVENING, to commence with MY WIFE'S OUT. Messrs. Widdicomb, Charles; Miss B. ,Percy and Miss E. Lavenu. After which, at 8 o'3lock, RUY BLAS. Ruy Blas, Mr. Pechter. Messrs. Ryder, Fitzpatrick, F. Ch M'lntyre, Garden, Raymond, Vollett, C itford, Moreland; Misses Car lotta Lezlercq, B. Percy, and Mrs. Winstanley. To conclude with a Farcical Oriental Extravaganza, en titled BAREFACED IMPOSTORS. Schahabaham (a pasha of three tails, Mr. Raymond ; Mustapha, Lis vizier, Mr. Garden ; Bill Stumps and Jack !Locus, quondam proprietors of the original uni,ed happy family, Messrs. Moreland and - Viddicomb ; Ali, chief guardian of the ladies of the Harem, Collett ; Osman Khan, chief executioner, Mr. Bunch ; Achmet Aga, an officer of the Sultan, Mr. Kelly; Mirza Ilajji Baba, chief keeper of the monkeys, Mr... Regan; Ayesha, formerly Jemima Stumps, but no, first favourite of tho pasha, Miss Lavenu; Fatima, second favourite of the pash Miss B. Percy; Shekerleb, third favourite of the pasha, Miss Travers; Beda, fourth favourite of the pasha, Miss Watson; Zenobia, formerly banou of the harem, chief wife of the pasha, but now discarded for A yesha, Miss Hatch. Various choice specimens of zoology, guards, slaves, and attendants, by the numerous and talentet Smith family. Divertissement des Odalisques. - Doors open at Hall-past Six. The Box-office open daily from Elcv,n till Five. N"V THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHL- Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, TIIE WORKMEN OF PARIS. Mr. Benjamin Webster; Messrs. Billin4ton, R. Phillips, Stuart, Stephenson, Eburne, C. J. Smith; ;Mrs. Stirling, Was Woolgar (Mrs. A. Mellon), Miss 11. :Simms. Mrs. Bil lington, Mrs. H. Lewis, and Miss A. Seamen. To conclude with DARK DOINGS IN THE CUP BOARD BY THE KNOTTING'E IL BROTHERS. Messrs. J. L. Toole, Paul Bedford, R. Phill:ps, and Mrs. A. Mellon. Commence at 7. ISS BAT EM A N.-NEW THEATRE 11 ROYAL ADELPIIL— Mr. Webster begs to announce that the great Tragedienne, Miss BATI MAN, having per formed with unparalleled success the character of " Leah" for a period of nine consecutive months during the last season at this Theatre, and since won the plaudits of thousands in Liverpool, Birmingham, Dublin, Manchester, and Glasgow, the will RE-APPEAR, at this Establishment JANUARY 2d, 1865, in her original character of the Jewish Maiden for a limited number of nights, previously to her appearing in oPier illustrations of the tilt , sic Drama, which are in prepa ration. The B x -office will be opened on Monday, Dec. 19, when places may be secured for Miss Bateman's engagement a fortnight in advance. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-- Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, a new Extravaganza, entitled THE MAGIC HORSE AND THE ICE MAIDEN I RINCESS. After which, THE STREETS OF LONDON. Messrs. Vining * , J. W. Ray, D. Fisher, D. Murray, J. Nelson, 11. Forrester. H. Mellon ; Mrs. Henry Marston, Miss Emma arnett, and Misa Fanny Gwynne. ROY AL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough, THU; EVENING, at 7, SHORT AND SWEET. Ater which, the Grand Christmas Burl‘sque, THE " GRIN" BUz,IIES ; or, the Mrs. Brown of the Missis-sippi. Messrs. Stoyle, Thorne, James, Fenton, &c.; Mesdames Ada Swanborough, Itaynham, Simpson, Johnstone, &c. To cmclude with THE WILFUL WARD. Miss Palmer. COALS. —The LILLESHAL L COMPANY'S COALS. Direct from their own Collieries. Marquis' 264. per ton. Double.. 21s. per ton. I Top 255. „ De, p ....225. „ 'Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De pots, Westbourne Park-road, IV., and 17, South Wharf, faddington, W., and Maiden-lane, N. Best Coke Terms cash. JOHN SCOTT, Sole &Tent T" THIRD EDITION OF " THE S U N, " Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, oan be had Every Evening of G. R. GLEN[}, NEWSAGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. T HE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN" supplied, as soon as published every Evening by W. ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 21, 01(1 Cavendish- street, Oxford -street. HIGH WATER. AT LONDON BRIDGE. This DAY.—Morning, 2h. 5 4m.—Afternoon, 3h. 18m. To- monnow.-Morning, 3h. 40m.—Afternoon, 58. n. I**. • 7 , 2" ••••• te . 4 *, - "-• *44 th LONDON, FRIDAY, DEC. 30, 1864. As 1864 is drawing rapidly to a close, men are already speculating on the prospects of 1865, and more especially on what will be distinctive features of that session—the last of the preEent Parliament —whose openieg days are now only a few weeks from us. It is scarcely likely to partake of the in dolent apathy of its immediate predecessors. Cabinet and Parliament, es hich alike refused to act when the choice was left to them, and which thought to evade all responsibilities and escape all dangers, like the ostrich, by hiding their heads from the sight of men, will probably find that they have purchased their short-lived holiday very dearly. The evils which might have proved only shadows, had they been boldly faced, may develope into alarming realities which will not be put off with pleas of neutrality and non.intervention. The whole Continent of Europe is likely to feel the effects of that Danish War, which a more manly and straight. forward course upon our part would have averted ; while the 'Yankees themselves seem about to tear the mask from our timorous neutrality, and make us speak out to the world and stand by our prin ciples. The Canadian question will certainly de. mand attention in the early days of the next Session, and we doubt not that Parliament and people will give it kindly and careful con sideration. But amid the press of foreign matters home affairs must not be alto. gather overlooked, and there is at least one great question of national domestic policy which has been too long postponed to bear any further delay. Oar legislators must no longer trifle with the question of Reform, so often put off from session to session, on one frivolous excuse or another. First tho popular feeiing on the matter was so well understood that pledges and pro. mises were given in profusion by Ministers on their own pars, and on the part of the SOVE REIGN. So long ago as 1858, when Lord DERBY took office the demand for Reform was so much a recognised thing, that when h© entered upon his new duties he feit bound to declare distinctly that he woul I introduce a Rofarm Bill. This promise, as we all know, he carried cut, however partially or unsatisfactorily, but the temper of the present House of Commons was sufficiently shown by their unconditional rejection of the bill, without attempt ing modification or i mprovemen t. Half a loaf is better than no bread is a homely adage, but a true one, and if oar members had tried to do the best they could with Lord DERBY'S measure, which really contained some good points, an important I step would have been gained, and there would be less to do now, But there was, in fact, little heart 1 in the matter. The representatives did not want the bread themselves, BO they cared very little whether or no their neighbours starved for want of the half loaf. With such indifferent or careless critics Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S shuffles about Reform passed by more easily than they deserved until he finally escaped from inconvenient queries and home thrusts to the quiet shadows of the House of Peers. In exchange for that earldom Lord J. RUSSELL gave his long cherished and hardly-won reputation as a Reformer gained in the great constitutional battles of 1831-32. He gave also a large portion of that popular respect and sympathy which his earlier career bad attached to him, and certainly his administration of our foreign affairs has not tended to regain the appro• val which his domestic policy had forfeited. Since the abandonment of all Lord RUSSELL'S professions, Reform;has been quietly thrust aside by the Govern ment, and whenever a complaint has been made it has been met by the answer that there was no popular action on the subject, but that the people had grown indifferent. The fact is that they have become disgusted with the want of faith shown by their political leaders, and look on professions of a reforming policy almost with ridicule. But this state of things cannot last for ever, and the existence of a well-founded dis Content among the masses is not a symptom that any statesman can afford to trifle with. In a country which, like England, is professedly self-governed, it is n 6 slight grievance for large bodies of thinking, in telligent men to be shut out from all participation in the politics of the State. They have as deep an interest in the welfare of the country as those above them in the social scale, while the question of finance and taxation are certainly even more important to them. How is it, then, that while all sides admit their right to the franchise, all shrink from extending it to them. Very certainly the possession of political power would, in these days, 'be much more safely trusted to our better class of mechanics and artisans than it would have been fifty years ago to the hands of the lower middle classes. If men have learnt no. thing else by the eventful history of the last half centure, they have at lease learned to be temperate and cautious ; and in most branches of our policy we are now more likely to err on the side of prudence and toleration than of that rashness and prejudice s) perceptible in much of our earlier legislation. There is some truth in the allegation of popular in. difference on the matter, though not as affects the classes most concerned. The £lO householders are net over anxious to share their power with those below them, and take very little interest in the matter. They do not exert the influence which they possess by extorting from the candidates for their suffrages a pledge to support Reform. They shrink from the extension of the franchise, as it will necessarily lessen their importance in the eyes of the candidates, and they look with no favourable eye on the natural ambition of those excluded from the pale of the constitutien. But this is neither fair to the Parliament nor to the people, since, unless the House of Representatives be really and truly a representation of popular views and feelings, its legislation will be partial and unsatisfactory; while it is manifestly unjust for him who has climbed the ladder to refuse to help the one who is struggling to ascend, not to dispossess him of his advantage, but to share it. We hope our £lO householders--and indeed all classes of the present electors—will do their duty honestly and manfully in this important matter. It is quite evident that a very general feeling of dis satisfaction exists at present from the large propor tion of even cur present liMited number of electors who do not vote. A change is much needed—a change in the number of electors—a change in the manner of voting—a change in the duration of Par liaments. If our legislators will not give us our demands unconditionally, let them meet us half way, and let sincere .Reformers not be again led into the blunder of refusing a partial measure because it does not contain all they want. If we can not get the application of an educational test, and the payment of rates and taxes as a condition for voting, let us have a £6 franchise ; if we cannot get triennial parliaments, let us have quinquennial; if the ballot is still withheld from the nation, let us at least have it tried fairly in half a dozen boroughs that are willing to make the experiment. But our leaders of the Liberal party will not condescend to practical details. They talk very largely about the rights of the people and the benefit of a comprehene sive measure of reform, but even these theories sound better they think on the hustings than in St. Stephen's, and come with more fervour from the left than from the right hand of the speaker. When once the magic open sesame is spoken, and the Whigs enter the doors of Downing street, Parlia mentary Reform and a few other loudly praised measures are apt to depart by the window. , The Patrie has very properly commented upon the letter of Mr SEWARD, in which he refused to allow money to be sent from England for the relief of the Confederate prisoners. Apart from the sense which pervades these remarks, it is gra tifying to behold so wise an appreciation of the motives which urged those in this country to make the offer. The days are happily nearly past when nothing took place of an awkward or unpleasant nature concerning France and England, but that the rival State commented upon it in unbecoming terms, if it did not actually seem to rejoice in the annoyance and insult hurled at its neighbour. Nothing is more likely to promote an entente cordiale between the two countries than the feeling of reciprocity which is engen• dared by a recognition of the claims of either community to respect and regard. The Parse denounces in the strongest terms the conduct of Mr SEWARD, and very truly observes that hi■ letter is a "masterpiece of buffoonery." It is in. deed impossible not to notice the peculiar absur dities of the communication when they are pointed out here in a brisk and spirited style: Especial comment is placed on the passage in which Mr. SEWARD refers to the motives which induce him to refuse the proposal, and, indeed, they, are groundless, and unstable even for American assurance to dwell upon. It is said that the money offered constitutes no large portion of the profits derived from the insurgents by the exchange of "arms and ammunition of war for the coveted pro duction of immoral and enervating slave labour." On this the Patrie very properly affirms that the Washington Government is inconsistent in its actions and words. The sums found on board the Florida that they did not scruple to receive pro ceeded also from " immoral and enervating slave!. labour." Certainly the bluster of Yankee impetu. osity has no chance against the keen and polished criticiim of French wit and humour. It is quite rafresh 7 .ng to notice how completely the writer of this diatribe has set down the assurance and imper tinence of the American Secretary at War, end ex posed the fallacy of his argument and nothing ness of his reasons. It will be a great vexation, even for the arrogance of Mr. SEWARD and his friends to see how completely their transparent devices have been seen through, and how powerless are their empty threats and bombastic declarations to impress and influence those who cAu see through them and despise them, But, says he Patrie, in rHE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVEAING, DECEMBER 30, 1864. continuation, " Have not all the provisions which the armies in the field plunder in the Southern States the very same origin. Viewed in this light, the language of Mr. SEWARD seems almost inco. herent and certainly quite inconclusive, should he or Mr. LINCOLN, as the French paper appropriately inquires, desire that the soldiers of GRANT and SHERIDAN should die of hunger rather than eat the coveted productions of immoral and ener• vating slave labour." Finally it is said, with great force and expression, that Mr SEWARD attempts to defend against an insult from England —a "people whom Mr LINCOLN and his generals are pillag ing, oppressing, and persecuting." This able article completely disposes of this question of the pro posed aid to the Confederates, which has given rise to so much confusion, and afforded Mr SEWARD an opportunity which has doubtless rej 3iced his heart, of manifesting to the world at large his abhorrence of England, and his utter contempt fur truth and justice. The lifeboat services which are rendered to the community are most important, and it is always interesting to notice the reports and statements con• nected with the progress made. Daring this year, now just closing, it is observable that the lifeboats of the National Lifeboat Institution have saved no less than 432 lives, besides contributing to the saving of 37 vessels. Besides this 266 lives have been saved in the same period by shore boats and other means ; thus, 698 lives in all have been pre. served in one year. On many other occasions the lifeboats have put off to the assistance of wrecks, but their services have not been subsequently required, so that an immense amount of peril and a con siderable outlay of expense have been incurred. The cost of such an establishment as this is enormous, and the repairs inevitable to its efficiency swallow up a considerable sum. During this year the Institution has expended £14,790 on its several establishments on the coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland. It must be evident from these details that a more valuable and efficient society could not exist; and it is urgently to be trusted that at this season, when many affluent indivi duals are looking out for objects upon which to be stow their charitable donations, the claims of this Institution will not be overlooked' In a country like this it should never be said that it required much solicitation to make the benefits of such an Institution required, and acceded to promptly and liberally. Language cannot adequately depict the feelings of those who are saved from the stranded ship and the sinking wreck, while the relatives and friends of those who escape the perils of waters and reach their homes in safety must surely be witnesses that none can gainsay as to the value of such endeavours as it is the object of this institutiou to promulgate and support. It is very gratifying to learn that the several services thus rendered to the cause of the preservation of life have been recognised by the French Government, and that instructions have been received by some important functionaries to disseminate the knowledge circulated ,by the So. ciety. On many a'counts it is interesting to find that the course of the National Lifeboat Institu- Lion seems likely to prosper ; its s uccess must strike some chords that.vibrate.to the hearts of al!, although the full importance of its efforts and the urgency of its need can only be fully apprea ciated by those who go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in the great waters. The Admiralty Pier at Dover. The subjoined correspondence was laid before ,he Dover Town Council at their meeting yes. terday : "To THE RIGHT HON. LORD VISCOUNT PALMERSTON. " Dover, Dec. 22. Lord,—l am desired by the Corporation of his town to solicit your lordship's aid in a matter which is felt to be of great importance in connexion with the new Admiralty Pier. In the month of September last certain regulations were issued by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for the working of the railway trains and the admission of the public, and-on the 16th of that month a letter was addressed to the Admiralty, pointing out the inconvenience which those regulations cause. Not receiving a reply to that letter, a further communie cation was addressed to my Lords on Nov. 17, asking to be favoured with an answer, but none has been received. I have the honour to enclose a copy of the letter of the 16th September, that your Lordship may know what are the inconveniences complained of. The Mayor has since received from an inhabitant a letter of complaint upon the same subject, of which I beg to enclose a copy, and your Lordship may not perhaps have seen a letter which appeared in the Times newspaper a few days since, from a stranger, stating the grievance which he had to complain of. The Lords of the Admiralty not baying taken any notice of the communications ad dressed to them, the Corporation venture to appeal to your Lordship as the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and to express a hope that your Lordship will kindly aid them in getting some modifications of regulations which injuriously affect the interests of the port, and are felt by the public to be need. lessly harsh and oppressive. " I have the honour to be, "EDWARD KNOCKER, Town Clerk." " To the Worshipful the Mayor of Dover. " Admiralty, Dec. 27. " Sir—With reference to your letter of the 6th of September last, complaining on behalf of the Cor poration of Dover of the power given by the 'Pier Regulations' for the exclusion of the general public, and suggesting that the municipal authorities be authorised to issue tickets of admission, I am come mended by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to state that experience having been gained during the last three months of the practical working of the trains on the pier, their Lordships find that that there are not sufficient reasons for making any taaterial alteration in the regulations as established for the guidance of their officers in charge of the arrangements on the pier, It must be borne in mind that the Admiralty Pier is virtually a station for the trains of two important lines of railway, and that the operations in connection with the mail service and general traffic of passengers and goods have to be carried •on within the limited area of a pier originally designed for the use of the packets and foot passengers only, and I am to add that with every desire to meet the wishes and convenience of the principal autho rities, their lordships cannot consent to modify the regu:ations, which have been found to work very satisfactorily. They, however, see no objection to the Mayor and local authorities, as well as others on urgent occasions, having free access to the pier whenever admission may, in the opinion of the re sponsible officer, be granted, with due regard to security and the convenience of the service; and Mr Deuce has been instructed accordingly,—l am, Sir, your obedient servant, " W. G. ROMAINE." The Town Council expressed their determination not to remain quiescent with the present arbitrary restrictions, _and finally decided on addressing another letter to Lord Palmerston, pointing out how the allegations of the Admiralty authorities were contrary to the feats, intimating that if these means failed to obtain the much-needed modifica tions, they would get the matter brought before Parliament in the next Session. REDUCTION OF RAILWAY CHARGES TO AND FROM LIVERPOOL.—The London and North Western Company have at length yielded to the long and loudly ex pressed remonstrances of the mercantile community of Liverpool, and announced their intention of reducing the carriage on goods to inland towns from 8s 4d a ton to 6s Bd. It is hoped that the company will follow this up by equalis• ing the charges upon other products with those made upon the traffic from and to other ports, LATEST INTELLIGENCE. [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] FRANCE. PARIS, DEC. 30. THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER. The Constitutionnel of to-day, in an article signed by M. Paulin Limayrac, says :—" The result of the Encyclical Letter is to control the consciences of Catholics, to rejoice the enemies of the Church, and thus increase the difficulties of the mission which France has undertaken, and which she pursues in the interest of the Holy see." A Council of Ministers was held yesterday at the Tuileries, the Emperor presiding. The Earl of Granville and Count Karolyi, Aus trian Ambassador in England, have arrived at the Hotel Bristol. A communication from Chambery, of the 27th, says :—" A report was current to-day that impor tant measures had just been adopted with regard to the Bank of Savoy. In virtue of an Imperial decree that establishment has been placed under sequestration. Seals have been placed on the cashs box, the bills, and other securities ; two doctors, one at Annecy and the other at Chambery, have taken possession of the establishments there in the name of the Government. Those measures, be it well understood, have no other object than to pro tect the interests engaged i❑ the affair, as %ell those of the shareholder as of the public. The operations of the bank will clntinue as before. BOURSE, Dec. 29.—The article in the Moniteur has produced a favourable effect on the market. Threes, for the Account, are now at 65f. 65c., and Mobilier at 942 f. 50c. Railway Market firm, and many of the lines at present show an improvement. The market kept improving to the close, and left off as follows : per Cents .. 91 Do. end month.... 3 per Cents Do. end month 66 Credit Mobilier 955 Do. end month 958 75 Bank Shares 3450 Credit P oncier 1270 Roman UAIL V !Italian Loan 66 20 Do. end month 66 40 Ditto Threes .. New Mexican .... 50a Russian Austrian Spanieh Threes 4G 25 Home Debt Deferred - rAYS. Orleans Northern Lyons and Mediterranean Southern OOO 04 Western Eastern .... Sardinian • Austrian Lou bard North of Spain Saragossa.. Ditto to Barcelona Cash. Account. 857 50 .. 865 -- 1008 75 .. 1007 50 892 50 ~ 895 590 .. 588 75 520 .. 530 -- 605 .. 505 318 75 .. 317 50 415 .. 443 75 511 25 .. 515 375 375 450 .. 445 197 50 .. 195 BOMBAY MAIL S . SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 30. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Delta, with the heavy portion of the Bombay mails, passed the Needles at 12.40 p.m. to-day. SPAIN. The Chamber of Deputies at Madrid has corn. plated the organisation of its bureau by the nomi nation of vice•presidents and secretaries, who all belong to the Ministerial party. I❑ the Senate, of the four secretaries named, two are supporters of the Cabinet, and two belong to the Opposition. In the Senate it is that the new Ministry must expect to meet with the greatest resistance. According to the Epoca the votes of that assembly as at pre sent composed are divided as follows, without taking into account the members who may arrive at Madrid befero the division on the address and that on the Santo Domingo question—Ministerial majority, 104 ; Opposition, 58 ; doubtful, 16. In the Chamber of Deputies the Count de San-Luis and M. Nocedol are mentioned as the most con spicuous leaders of the Opposition—but, says the Correvondencia, those ex. Ministers can only count about 20 deputies. The Consultative Junta of War at Madrid has held a meeting to examine the project of abandoning Santo Domingo, and the Correspondencia makes the following remarks on the sitting The Marquis do Pezuela voted against each a measure in a military point of view, making that decision, however, subordinate to any economical or political considertitions which might induce the Uovernment to adopt it. The other members of the Junta, while not denying the possibility of suppressing the insurrection, declared in favour of the abandonment of the island, where the soldiers were falling without either . glory or benefit to their country, not before their enemies, but as victims of a climate which could not be supported. BANK OF FRANCE. PARIS, DEC. 29. The following is the return of the Bank of France for the week, together with the corresponding figures of the previous account :—. • Dec. 29. Dec. 22. DR. f. C. f. c Capital of the Bank 182,500,000 . 182,500,000 Profits in addition toCapital (Art. 8 law June 9, 1857) 6,923,915 08 6,912,460 91 Reserve in the Bank and _ its branches Reserve in landed property 4,000,000 4,000,000 Notes in circulation 726,212,275 -- 721,487,475 Bank notes to order and re- ceipts payable at sight 7,427,596 04 5,774,783 36 Treasury ace, cur. credit0r122,312,552 55 103,359,256 06 Current accounts—Paris 146,645,897 84 136,089,007 48 Do. branch-banks 24,675,970 20,104,508 Dividends payable Discounts and sundry interests 789,981 57 21,660,20 29 Re-discount of the last six months 2,789,444 58 2,588,735 17 Sundries 1,270,310,135 86 1,237,994,159 61 CR. Cash in hand and branch banks 359,969,767 16 364,008,378 83 Commercial bills overdue 620,025 69 708,763 66 Commercial bills discounted not yet due ,...303,839,895 33 274,518,191 83 Do. branch-banks.... 293,317,935 287,085,185 Advances on deposits of bullion Do. branch -banks.... 4,955,181 4 860 184 Advances on French p u blic , , securities Do. branch-banks 7,931,350 Advances on reilway shares and debentures 26,743,900 26,543,800 Do. branch-b an k s 17,25 9 , 550 16,787,150 Advances on Credit Fon cier Bonds 534,800 Do. branch-banks.... 401,950 Advances to the State (Conven. Juno 10, 1857) 60,000,000 60,000,000 Govt. Stock Reserve .... 12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14 Do. disposable Rentes immobilisees (Law June 9, 1857) 100,000,000 Hotel and furniture of the Bank Landed property, branches Expenses of management 2,756 2,849,239 24 Sundries 14,687,200 - 7,595,550 - 548,500 - 414,750 - 100,000,000 - 3,348,078 - 1 , 2 70,310,135 86 1,237,994,159 61 Certified, the Senator-Governor of the Bank of France. (Signed) ROULAND. I RIVER POLICE FOR THE MERSEY.—For some time past the advisability of establishing a river police for the Mersey has engaged the attention of the local autho rities, who are anxious to "put down" crimping and other notorious evils peculiar to large seaports, and which have too long flourished at Liverpool. Yesterday, at a meeting of the Mersey Dock Board, a report, prepared by four officials of the board and the corporation, was read. The report recommends the appointment of an educated nautical man as a superintendent, with two or three boats' crews of water constables, The estimated cost for two boats and their crows is £948 a year, and £1,400 for three, exclusive of the superintendent's salary, which it is recommended should not exceed £l5O per an num. DEATH OF A CHILD BY FlRE.—Yesterday evening a little girl named Matilda Atherton, five years of age, residing with her parents, in a place called a " cottage," at the back of No. 4, Noel-street, St. James's, died in the Middlesex Hospital, from the effects of painful injuries she received from burning. It appears that the child was reaching something from the mantelpiece when her pinafore caught fire, and in a moment she was in flames Ayounger child's clothes had also become ignited by coming in contact with the other's. Both children were at once taken to the above hospital and attended by Mr J A. Smith, the house-surgeon, when it was found that the younger, two years and three months old, was burnt about the legs, but nct to such an extent as to endanger its life. The injuries the elder child had sustained were however of such a fright ful nature that it died an hour after admission, THE EAST. We extract the following from the Levan Herald of December 21 : KUSTENDJIE, Dec. 17. The harvest in the Dobrudja has this year been above the average, and the grain market has been unusually active. It is crowded with carts by hun dreds, full of corn, so as positively to impede the circulation in the streets of this flourishing new town of ours. The great fair of Medjidie, esta blished by the energy and activity of Nusret and Sabri Pashas, was almost deserted, the faro mars being all occupied in getting in their har vests. Oar general prosperity is in great measure due to the intelligence of Nusret Pasha, who is Imperial Commissioner for the colonisation of the emigrants. New buildings are rising up on all sides. The Commissioner has established a hospital at Medjidie, in a highly salubrious situation, where the sick emigrants are received and carefully tended, and a normal school, on a large scale, end under admirable arrangements. He has further appointed a municipal council, under whose supervision the paving, lighting, and cleansing of the streets are carefully attended to. He has cut dykes for the drainage of the environs, heretofore extremely un healthy, and thus turned the marshes into market gardens, and has planted more than 100,000 trees in front of the town. Woodmen have been dispatched to Aratchin and Babadagh to procure trees of the most fitting sorts to be planted round the villages of the Dobrudja, and 100,000 mulberry trees have been sent for from Broussa, which are to be planted at Medjidie itself. The works of the canal in course of construction under the direction of the Commissioner from Med jidie to the Danube have been suspended till next spring, This is in consequence of the ground being frczP,n and the non.arrival of tools ordered at Con stantinople. The railroad company has engaged to take immediate steps for draining the land along the Hee, where at present the water stagnates in abundance, and produces the intermittent fevers known commonly as the " Dobrudj i fevers"—a disease of a sad celebrity, and which hitherto has yearly decimated our population. We have had severe storms during the past month. The packets for Odessa and Constantinople were detained in port, and the postal service was repeatedly interrupted. Notwithstanding the im6 portant works constructed by the company in our harbour, it btill affords refuge in bad weather only to small boats, and that by no means certain. In prospect of the stormy weather which always pre vails in the Black Sea at this period of the year, the Commissioner begged the Russian authorities to prevent any embarkation of the Circassian emi- grants after the 13th of November. Not withstand. ing this prudent precaution, we hear that more than 30,000 mountaineers, with their arms and effects, have reached Novorasysk (Joondiak). It was impossible to leave these poor wretches without home or food on the desert shore ; Nusret Pasha, consequently, sent immediate advices to the Admi. ralty, and five frigates were forthwith despatched to the rescue. It will depend upon the weather whether they are brought to our port or that of BaltzilE or Bourgas. In either case, the Commissioner has sent word to the authorities to provide lodging, cloth ing, and food for these ill-starred strangers. He has obtained a promise from the Russian General Babitch, that so many of the 30,000 as cannot be taken off at present shall be provided for till next spring, when the emigration will re-commence as before. The expense of their maintenance in the Russian territory, strange to say, will fall upon the exchequer of the Porte, a fresh proof of the humanity of the Sultan and his advisers. In prospect of the growing prosperity and great capabilities of - - - this town Nusret Pasha has called a meeting in the konak of the principal inhabitants, both Mussul- man and Christian, for the purpose of form , ing a municipal council, as at Medjidie. The project was warmly approved, and Messrs, Negroponti, neolets, and Bendtzli are seconding the plans of the Commissioner with all their insu• ence. I must not omit a trait of hospitality un fortunately less common among the Christians than . the Mussulmans. When the Tonna arrived here, half dead with cold and hunger, M.:.Negroponti, Who is oue of the large3t traders in the town, ordered all his magazines to be thrown open for their reception." Frederick Douglass to the Negroes, Frederick Douglass, in addressing the coloured people the other day in Baltimore, gave them some advice, which we find reported in the Cambridge (Md.) Intelligence? as follows :—" I now desire to make some remarks to try coloured friends. By the adoption of the new constitution your condition is radically changed. You are, i❑ one sense, free. But you must not thick that freedom means absence from work. Bear that in mind. I would impress it upon your minds that if you would be prosperous you must be industrious. I would advise those living in the lower counties of Maryland to stick to their agricultural pursuits. I believe 150 dollars in the country is better than 400 dollars in the city. There they can live more economically, and there are not so many temptations to lead them astray. If the coloured people of Maryland flock to Balti more, crowding the alleys and by-streets, woe be• tide them. Sad indeed will he their fate. They must stick to the country and work. They must be saving with their funds, and endeavour to buy land. They must continually strive to become land holders. Nor is this sufficient. They must build up schools and educate their children. Hitherto you were wont to pride yourself on your muscle. He who could shoulder the heaviest burden was the greatest man in the neighbour hood. But you need something else now. You must have mind. You must make yourself capable of thinking as well as digging. If we wish to enjoy the same privileges as the white man, we must labour to became his equal. We must educate ourselves. Let us resolve to point the finger of scorn at every coloured man who refuses to send his children to school. You will find that the more in telligent and refined you become the more your I white brethren will respect you. I hold that all men are equal naturally but not practically. We need not strive to conceal that we are inferior to the whites practically. They , have their Clays, Web sters, and Calhouns. We have not. They can build ships, while we can scarcely build a canoe, and it will be lopsided, In fact in all the arts and sciences they are immeasurably our superiors. Now, if we will be studious and faithful to our interests, it will not always be so. The black man is just as cap able of being great as the white. All it needs is an effort—a persistent, untiring effort. You have now the opportunity and I trust you will improve it." THE MISTLETOE, though found occasionally in all parts of England, is more rare in the northern and midland counties than in the south and west; and of all counties, its chief home is in Herefordshire. It is well known that of all trees, this dainty and captious parasite likes best to grow upon the apple; and in Herefordshire it has an ample field for choice, taking more kindly, it is stated, to those trees whose fruit is white-fleshed than to those which bear yellow-fleshed apples. Curiously enough, to-, though found so constantly on apple-trees it seldom, if ever, grows on the pear, and never, spontaneously at least, upon the beech, the birch, the holly, the walnut, the elder, the sweet chestnut, or the laurel. Next to the apple-tree it loves the poplar, the lime, and the white-thorn, and is oc casionally found on the maple, the willow, the aye more, and the acacia. There can be very little doubt, that in by tar the majority of instances it is chance-sown, most pro bably its seeds have been dropped by birds, but that, from some other cause net as yet understood, the wood of all trees is not equally fitted to receive it and support it. Where its seed has once found a congenial home within the bark of a tree, like a true parasite, it drives the fangs of its roots deep into the wood, whence it draws its srip and nourish ment growing with its growth', and strengthening with its strength.—Once a Week. DEAD LETTERS.—The report of Postmaster Den nison shows an extraordinary amount of careless. noes on the part cf the letter-writing community. Them were 3,508,325 dead letters received during the past year— over 9,000 a day. Many of these letters contained money, deeds, bills of exchange, drafts, cheques, jewellery, and other valuables. Some of them were misdirected,others not directed at all, others unstamped, and others only partially directed. Thousands of these dead letters were returned to the writers, but the great majority had to be destroyed. —.Yew York Paw, • Mr Thwaites and the Thames Embankment. The following is the correspondence between Mr Ridley and Messrs Waring Brothers, which pre ceded;tbe writing of the letter by the latter gentle. man to Mr Thwaites, which we published on Mon day lust : "5, Victoria-street, Westminster, S.W., London, Dec. 10, 1864. "Sir,—We have received from Mr Thwaites, chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works, a letter (and enclosed with it, copy of one from Mr Ba zslgette), referring to communications with yourself in reference to certain evidence of his prejudicial to you, and requesting to know if ho is at liberty to ask the engineer, Mr Bazilgette, to state publicly what he before communicated confidentially to Mr Thwaites and members of his board, as having been stated by us to Mr Bazalgette. " We have replied that the statement embodied in the letter of Mr Thwaites and that of Mr Baz•il. Bette is no: a truthful representation, either in sub- stance or in spirit, of communications confidentially made by us, and leaving therefore to Mr Thwaites the responsibility of acting as he may see fit in regard to it. "But we have added the expression of our anxious wish that, as regards ourselves, the whole truth should be made known, and have stated that we should inform you of the inquiry addressed to us, of our reply, and of our desire to put both the public and Mr Thwaites in possession of all which passed in our interview with Mr Bozalgette ; and we have to inquire, therefore, from you whether, the cum• munications having been essentially confidential, ycu are willing that the eeal of confidence should be removed, so that we may proceed in the manner indicated in our reply to Mr Thwaites. —We are, sir, your obedient servants, " WARIN G BROTHERS. "S. C. Ridley, Esq., 20 Great George-street." "20, Great George-street, Westminster, London, Dec, 13, 1864. " Gentlemen,—ln reply to your letter of the 10th inst. (received to-day) I have no objection to your placing Mr Thwaites in possession of all that tran spired at the interview with Mr B3zaJgelte, and which you refer to in your letter. lam therefore willing so far as I am concerned that as regards yourselves the seal of confidence should be removed. —I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, " SAIU. C. RIDLEY. "Messrs Waring Brothers. "It may be necessary to publish this letter and yours, to which it is a reply." Then comes the letter to Mr Thwaites already published. A Roman Catholic Bishop on the Papacy. (From the Birmingham Post.) Oa Tuesday night the Very Rev. Dr UIIEIOIO/1:10, omen Catholic Bishop of Birmingham, presided at a reunion of the Roman Catholics of Wolverhamp ton, in the Corn Exchange. The meeting was numerously attended. Dr ULLATHORNE spoke at some length in open. ing the proceedings. He said they were not as sembled to make speeches, but to spend a social Christmas evening. To him, who had presided over them as their chief pastor for 16 years, it was a source of great pleasure to meet the two congre gations in Wolverhampton assembled under one roof. It was a beautiful expression of union be tween the people and their pastors. He would take a retrospect of the history of Catholicism in Wolverhampton in the past 16 years. lie looked back to the time when they had their one and venerable chapel in North-street, which he still re■ juiced to see more vigorous and more beautiful ; and, he might almost venture to say, better served than ever. (Applause.) He went back to the time when they had the one school adjoining the chapel. In these two institutions he found what was the whole circle of the material expression of the Ca tholic religion and education as it at on© time existed in Wolverhampton. He then turned his eyes, and he saw St. Patrick's Schools admirably served and taught by those religious ladies who had contributed so much to advance the religious interests of the Catholics of that town. From the very fact that they were absent, and were represented that night only by their spiritual father and prelate, he could not pass over their devotion to the education, the religious edification, and to the religious adornment of the Roman Catholic population of that great town. He would then pass on to Snowhill, where he saw the beautiful church of St. Peter and St. Paul, and the large schools near to it—the memorial of the zeal, the devotedness, and the charity of the Rev. Canon Moore. Wherever be turned he saw that whatever existed in Wolverhampton was in a most gratifying condition. But a bishop was an overseer—one whose office it was to look around and see what was wanted to be done. The very rev. cnairman then drew attention to the necessity that existed for a third church in Wolverhampton, erected on the land already purchased as a site in Staffurd•street. He spoke of the constant applica tions which the Heyde. Messrs Kelly and Duckett were making to him to send a priest for that part of the town, and he promised that so soon as the Catholics of Wolverhampton would themselves begin to move in the matter in earnest, he would comply with the request. The promise received the loud applause of the meeting, which became even louder when Dr. Uilathorne offered to give £lOO towards the building fund. Mr KELLY, Mr DUCKETT, and another of the pastors of Wolverhampton then spoke, and The Very Reverend CHAIRMAN, in responding to a vote of thanks which was passed to him amidst great enthusiasm, referred to similar demonstrations with which the name of his Holiness Pope Pius IX. was received, and expressed the very great grati fication that such applause afforded to himself. Perhaps, he said, he felt this the more because of all the persons then within those walls he probably knew more of the heart of that man- He was a man at whom people at a distance marvelled and wondered. He was a man of entire benevolence, but he woulti apply to him another expression, and say that he was a man of supernatural goodwill to all men—(loud applause) —a man full of the spirit of God—a man whose every hour, he might say every minute, was spent between God and the sees vice of the people of God—a man who, when he wee not praying to God for them, was almost always toiling in solitude, or in council, for the welfare of the universal Church of God. (Applause.) There never was a man yet who approached him—and he had known many from different countries, occupying the highest positions, and standing nearest to the throne itself, who ever approached him without, when he left his presence, feeling that he had been in the presence of a being who was not like the rest of men, but a man whose heart was overflowing with love to all mankind. (Loud applause.) Such was the man who, above all other men, was set up as a sign and a mark for the criticism of others. The Pope was a man who he firmly believed was raised up by God especially to carry the Church through one of the greatest crises it had ever gone through —a crisis which would be marked in the annals of the Church as not a period when she was thrown into obscurity ; not when the Church was coming to an end, was sinking and sinking; but when it was rising higher in its.splendour,and forcing itself by its own vitality more and more widely over the surface of the earth, and more and more deeply , into the hearts of the people—(loud applause)—aud yet it was being said by her enemies that she was sinking into obscurity, was dying out, and was like an ostrich desiring to hide her head in the sand. But let any one go to Rome and they would find the Pope, and those about him, solacing themselves in the midst of the oppressive' labours which weighed them down with the knowledge of the fact that the Church was becoming more and more widely a blessing to the universe. :I be choir then performed a programme of music with great ability, and a pleasant evening was spent, LIVERPOOL, Dec. 29.—1 t is rumoured that, according to advises received here by the Hansa, the Spanish admir a l' s s hi p, off the Chinchas Islands, had sunk. The Peruvian Congress V 709 debating the question o f peace or war, HER MAJESTY. The Prince and Princess of Wales. time very convivially: Oa the same day the following visitors arrived at Sandringham on a visit to the Prince and Princess of Wales. His Serene Highness Prince Leiningent the Marquis of Bowmont, Earl Cowper, Sir Frede' rick Johnstone, and the Hon. W. Carrington. On Tuesday the Prince of Wales, Prince Leinen gen, the Marquis of Bowmont, Earl - Cowper, Sir Frederick Johnstone, Hon. W. Grey, Hon. W. Car• rington, Captain Grey, &c., went out cover shoot ing; as also on Wednesday. Their Royal Highnesses and suite proceed to Holkham on Monday on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Leicester, and will remain till after the sth, on which date the Lord-Lieutenant has invited a large number of the leading members of the county aristocracy to meet their Royal Highnesses at a ball. Great preparations are being made at the palatial residence of the Lord-Lieutenant for this visit. HER MAJESTY'S NEN? YEAR GIFTS TO THE POOR AT WINDSOR.—In consequence of the first day of January falling upon a Sunday her Majesty's New Year gifts to the poor of Windsor and the district will, it is understood, be given to the recipients on Monday next. About £2OO has been contributed by the Queen for this charitable purpose, which amount will be distributed by tickets among some 250 or more recipients. The gifts con sist of beef, given in portions of 41b, Sib, and 61b weight, and coals, varying from one to three cwt. None but the really deserving poor are permitted to partake of the bounty, the proper persons for the reception of which are nominated by the district visitors to the parochial clergy—the Rev. Messrs. Ellison, Simpson, Rooke, &c., of Windsor—who issue the tickets. Formerly the Queen's New Year gifts were distributed in the riding school of Windsor Castle, in the presence of her Majesty and the members of the royal family, when the various articles of clothing purchased by the humble members of the Royal Clothing glob were also laid out for the Queen's inspection. On these occasions her Majesty and the royal nullity, surrounded by the Court, were present in the gallery of the riding school. 'file Duke and DuChess of Buccleuch are sur rounded by a select family circle at Dalkeith Palace, near Edinburgh. The Duchess (Dowager) of Grafton has arrived in town from Wakefield Lodge, Northamptonshire. The Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter are entertaining a totally party at Burghley House, near Staw ford. Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston are enter• 4 taining a select party at Broadlands, Hants. The noble Premier and Lady Palmerston will arrive at Cambridge House the week after next for the season. FUNERAL OF THE LATE SIR WM. BERKELEY CALL, BART.—The interment of this much-esteemed baro net took place yesterday morning, at Charlton Cemetery Kent. The funeral was, in accordance with the late baro net's wishes, strictly private, and consisted merely of the immediate family and a few intimate friends, The present baronet, Sir William Montague Call, a young Etonian, wee chief mourner, supported by his godfather, Mr Andrew Fountayne Wilson Montagu, of Melton Park, Yorkshire. The late baronet married Miss Gardiner, daughter of Mr S. Gardiner, of Combo Lodge Reading, Barks, who, with her two daughters, attended the sad ceremony. The service was most impressively read by the Rev A. Somerset, brother-in-law to the late baronet, Sir William Berkeley Call was son of Sir William Call by the Lady Louisa Call, daughter of the Countess of Granard, sister to the late Earl of Berkeley. The late Sir William Berkeley Call, Bart. ) of Whiteford, in the county of Cornall, was partner in the banking-house of Martin and Call, Old Bond -street. The deceased leaves issue the present baronet and two 'daughters. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.—The two telegraphic companies are just now endeavouring to lay an increased charge of fully one-third—in some cases one-half —more than is at present paid by the various daily journals throughout the country. In Scotland this matter has brought together the whole of the proprietors of the daily papers, who have resolved to resist it, and if necessary to obtain their information from another quarter. Similar action is to be taken, we are informed, by the English re presentatives of daily journalism. The news rooms, being included in the proposed change, will also combine against it. There are about 30 daily papers published in the pro-. vinces, and they aro about to be called on to pay an ade,i tional sum of £1,500 per annum, every paper being askeli to contribute £5O a year more than heretofore. The Mar j netic and Electric Companies a short tim e ago un it f,d, and this movement is the result of their combinatio- At . Their only opponent now is the United Kingdom Tel-,graph Com pany. We understand it is the intention the English newspapers to form themselves into an association for get" tin; telegraphic news in the same w,sy as the American papers do. This project has long the attempt of the telegraphic comranie ee sL ia r l a k i e s d e their prices for news will no doubt h:oten it forward.—Xewca stle Chronicle.—The subscribers to the reading room at Aye have resolved, by a lare majority, to discontinue the u-e of the telegraphic news supplied to them, of the t e l egraph company having announced an increase in the ch arge from £4O to £OO a year.— Glasgowlifor•nit , foui i n consequence TIIE COAL SIIIPMENTS FROM BIRKENHEAD AND LIVERPOOL.—Lest year 331,606 tons of coal were shipped from Birkenhead, being an increase of 82,656 tons over the previous year. Of this quantity 72,000 tons passrod of the MelseY over the new mec h an i cs coa l shoots, the quantity the prtivi4 ous year bein g 28 , 00 tons. The amount of coal shi p ped from the Liverpool side last year was 1(,)0,000 rr-7, 4 r, " nal'•,s • • - , " 1 4 if 11 DIT 08E0111'7E, Dec. 2 9 . The Quen and royal finailv took their 01151 exercise in the grounds yesterday. SANDRINGHAM, Thursday. d His Royal Highness th e P r i nce o f W a l es , attended by Capt. Grey, spent a couple of days on a visit to -Mr H. Vill e b o i s , th e esteemed master of the Weet Norfolk Hunt, la s t wee k. Th e fi rst day was ;Vent t in shooting the N ar b oroug h C ontract, wheal ab°ll., 500 head of gam e were b agge d , and on t h e sec"' day in Marh am S cru bby , near l y 600 hea d wet® killed. Her Roy a l Highness the Prin c ess of wales did not proceed to Marham House, as was expectedl in consequence of the inclemency of the weather. On Saturday morning a large number of th e school children on the royal estate were taken 11 1 ) to the comptroller's residence, when they received presents of new scarlet cloaks, with jackets and caps, and were afterwards marched through th e grounds along the terrace and past the drawing" room window, from which they were inspected 11 the Prince and Princess of Wales. Through the liberality of the Prince, the poor en the royal estate were enabled to enjoy their Christ mas in a thoroughly English style —every cottager receiving an allowance of beef, which varied to the extent of the family—the rule apparently being to bllow 31b for each man, 21b for each woman, and lib for each child. At 11 o'clock all the cottager numbering between 80 and 100, assembled in the grounds in front of the terrace at the west front of ihe house. Immediately before the drawing-roan window were temporary counters, on which were piled the pieces of beef, all labelled with the names of those who were to be the recipients. They were called up one by one by Mr Carmichael and received the beef. The Prince of Wales was on the terrases and the princesa witnessed the interesting proceed ings from the draiving-room window. The Prince of Wales, attended by Capt. Grey, afterwards went out shooting. On Christmas-day their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the Mar chioness of Carmarthen, Lieut.-Gen. Knollys, Capt. Grey, Mr Fisher, Mr Holzman, and accompanied hi . the Hon. Wm. and Mrs. Grey, attended Divine ser vice at Sandringham Church, when the Holy Cow munion was administered. There was no sermon• The Rev. George Browne Moxon, 8.A., the rector, officiated; assisted tiy the Rev. W. Bailey. On Monday (Boxing -day) the whole of the prince's labourers, numbering 120, and the children belonging to the Sandringham, West Newton,Wol4 ferton, and Dersingham schools, numbering 1,50, making a total of 270, dined at Sandringham, a sub' stantial dinner of roast beef,plum pudding, and good ale being provided, by the Prince's directions, in the spacious coach-house connected with the royal stables. Mr J. Carmichael, the steward, presided, the vise•chair being occupied by Mr P. Overton, head keeper. During dinner the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Prince Albert Victor, paid a visit, and the following toasts were proposed by Mr Car michael, and enthusiastically received. .4 The Queen," "The Prince of Wales,",. "The princess of Wales," "The Prince Albert Victor." After dinner was concluded the children left, but the adults continued and spent the remainder of the 07113,